All artists are willing to suffer for their work. But why are so few prepared to learn to draw?
BANKSYAll artists are willing to suffer for their work. But why are so few prepared to learn to draw?
BANKSYIn the future, everybody will be anonymous for 15 minutes.
BANKSYThe one thing you can rely on is if you get disturbed halfway through a painting and it looks a bit naff, then someone will preserve that piece, remove it and a few months later it’ll be paraded round Sotheby’s by people wearing white gloves.
BANKSYWriting graffiti is about the most honest way you can be an artist. It takes no money to do it, you don’t need an education to understand it, and there’s no admission fee.
BANKSYSome people represent authority without ever possessing any of their own.
BANKSYI’ve never really understood why people sleep. Wasting a third of your life and becoming vulnerable for almost 8 hours every night. Doesn’t seem very appealing to me.
BANKSYStencils are good for two reasons; one – they’re quick; two – they annoy idiots.
BANKSYI’ve learnt from experience that a painting isn’t finished when you put down your brush – that’s when it starts. The public reaction is what supplies meaning and value. Art comes alive in the arguments you have about it.
BANKSYIf you feel dirty, insignificant or unloved, then rats are a good role model. They exist without permission, they have no respect for the hierarchy of society, and they have sex 50 times a day.
BANKSYIt’s a very frustrated feeling you get when the only people with good photos of you work are the police department.
BANKSYMy lawyer’s opinion is that the cops might not actually be able to charge me with criminal damage any more – because theoretically my graffiti actually increases the value of property rather than decreasing it. That’s his theory, but then my lawyer also believes wearing novelty cartoon ties is a good look.
BANKSYGaza is often described as ‘the world’s largest open air prison’ because no-one is allowed to enter or leave. But that seems a bit unfair to prisons – they don’t have their electricity and drinking water cut off randomly almost every day.
BANKSYPeople say graffiti is ugly, irresponsible and childish… but that’s only if it’s done properly.
BANKSYI love the way capitalism finds a place – even for its enemies.
BANKSYI originally set out to try and save the world, but now I’m not sure I like it enough.
BANKSYSpeak softly, but carry a big can of paint.
BANKSY